Summer Movies in the Park

May 24, 2017 (COUNTY NEWS SERVICE) Pack some popcorn and gather up family and friends for Summer Movies in the Park. The fun, family-friendly – and free! – series officially kicks off this season with “Moana” at Waterfront Park on Friday, May 26.
Summer Movies in the Park, sponsored this year by Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers, will hold 137 movie screenings at 86 sites across the county including 22 County Parks.
Not only are the sites far and wide, but many are unique. Watch “Captain America: Civil War” from the USS Midway, “The Jungle Book” (2016) at the historic Los Penasquitos Adobe at Rancho Penasquitos County Park, “Finding Dory” at the Poway Swim Center and “Up” at the Horton Plaza Park.
The films are all rated G to PG-13. New films showing this year include “La La Land,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “The LEGO Batman Movie” and “The Secret Life of Pets.” But don’t forget the classics. Summer Movies in the Park will also screen “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “The Princess Bride,” “The Sandlot,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”
The series runs through Oct. 28, wrapping up with several Halloween-themed films.
Movies start 15 minutes after sunset but many locations offer arts and crafts, games and other fun activities such as live entertainment and food trucks for an hour or so beforehand. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring along blankets, chairs and snacks.
This is the 10th year that County Parks and Recreation and sponsor cities have coordinated the event. See the full schedule at Summer Movies in the Park. Contact hosting parks for additional information.